Written by

Kyle Tucker
| The (Louisville) Courier-Journal

John Calipari's criticism seemed misplaced after his University of Kentucky basketball team's season opener on Friday night. He hounded freshman Julius Randle after a 23-point, 15-rebound college debut. He thought Randle could've, should've had as many boards as points. He needs that kind of effort from his phenom - and now.

Why? Because the top-ranked Wildcats are just two days away from the most anticipated matchup of college basketball's first month, against No. 2 Michigan State on Tuesday night in Chicago. Today's home game against Northern Kentucky (0-1) is the final warm-up for ...